Essex CC Trust
Essex Cricket now has its own official charity with a specific aim of supporting youth, women’s, disabled and school cricket programmes in conjunction with the Essex County Cricket Board.
The launch of the Essex Cricket & Community Trust took place on Tuesday 5th April. The event was attended by nearly 250 guests at Stock Brook Manor, Billericay. The event was a huge success with approximately £20,000 being raised for the Trust.
Ashes hero Alastair Cook was joined by England and Essex legends, Graham Gooch and Ronnie Irani
The trust brings together the trusts within Essex Cricket family; with an aim to attract new sources of revenue and to apply that to specific areas where the need is greatest and current funds of ECCB are insufficient to meet demands for various initiatives.
Five areas where support is most needed:
Street20 Cricket
An urban, funky 6-a-side form of the game designed to be played in crowded urban environments where there are multi-use facilities. It needs two bats, a set of plastic stumps and a ball wrapped in electrical tape.
ECCB has set up various Street20 projects, especially in areas where there are deprived young people. Such is the demand that without new funding the programme cannot expand. Each project costs £1400 for a 12-week programme.
Disability Cricket
Where there is a clear priority to improve and introduce new teams. Funding is needed for the Essex Tigers VI team and the Essex Adult British Association for Cricket with Disabilities team. Funds would be used for equipment and training which, for each team, is £1300.
Women’s and Girls’ cricket
Where there is a specific challenge laid down by the ECB. ECCB is a high-performing county cricket board but needs to target clubs to develop the girls section and provide coaching as well as training sessions for coaches and officers. An international women’s cricket match next summer will provide an opportunity for focussing on this programme. The cost of this is £2,000.
District Cricket
This is the pathway to a higher level of elite performance. The programme is designed to identify youngsters within the five districts who show potential to progress to County level. There are many volunteers working with youngsters during the summer but funds are required for the provision of facilities and winter coaching. The total funding requirement is £2,000 for each district. The Youth Trust already provides support, so additional ECCT funding will be made, if available.
James Foster Schools Coaching Programme
Essex Cricket coaches 10,000 pupils in schools in Essex and the Metropolitan London Boroughs. James Foster is an ambassador for the programme and, with the demise of the Schools Sports Partnerships, new funds are required.
The Trustees of ECCT are widely drawn from the Club and independents:
As a registered charity the ECCT can reclaim tax, i.e. gift aid on all donations.
Additionally the ECCT seek support from companies through their Social responsibility aims.
Further details are available from the Secretary David East (01245 254014)
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